34 militants killed in northwest Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 34 militants were killed by the Pakistani security forces in the country's northwest tribal areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Friday, local media reported.

According to reports by local Urdu TV channel Dunya, 17 militants were killed Friday night by the Pakistani security forces in the Tera Valley area of Khyber Agency which borders Afghanistan.

One troop and three local pro-government peace militiamen were also killed in the clash, said the report.

The report failed to give other details about the clash.

Meanwhile, a remote-controlled bomb hit a vehicle of the security forces in the same area Friday night, killing three security personnel and injuring two others.

Earlier on Friday morning, the Pakistani security forces launched an attack at two militants' hideouts in Khyber Agency with the backup of gunship helicopters, killing five militants and wounding eight others.

During the operation, three Pakistani troops and three local pro-government peace militiamen were also killed.

Shortly after this, the Pakistani security forces launched another attack at four militants' hideouts in Orakzai Agency which borders Khyber Agency to its southern side.

A total of 12 militants were reportedly killed and 10 others injured in Friday's operation, bringing to 34 the total number of militants killed in the northwest tribal areas of Pakistan.